Sustainable(ish)

I know that I’m not alone in occasionally feeling a little bit "what’s the point?" Do my actions really make a difference? Will it really make any odds in the grand scheme of things if I take recycle this bottle, buy this new pair of jeans, or even take that flight?Our individual actions can feel inconsequential in the face of the overwhelming enormity of the climate crisis and the scales of the changes that need to happen. Which is my attention was caught by a sentence in a book I read recently (Zero Altitude by Helen Coffey – you can listen to my chat with Helen in Episode 143) about individual action having a ripple effect that can start a public conversation (I bang on endlessly about the ripple effect of our actions in the Sustainable(ish) Clubhouse, and once you start to notice it, you really do see it in action!). The book then referred to a study by Steve Westlake, where he looked at the impact it has when one person tells their family and friends that they’re giving up flying for climate reasons. Steve found in his study that half of respondent who knew someone who had given up flying because of climate change, said that they flew less because of their example!I was fascinated by this and promptly did a quick Ecosia search (top tip - swap your search engine for Ecosia - they use their ad revenue to plant trees!) for Steve Westlake. It turns out that he’s a PhD student at Cardiff University exploring how leading by example can influence behaviours and attitudes towards climate change. Which I totally wanted to hear more about, so in my usual slightly over-excited way, I got in touch with Steve and invited him on the podcast to talk about his research. And I’m delighted to say that he accepted, and that this is our chat – enjoy! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Steve Westlake- Cardiff Uni page- On TwitterZero AltitudeEp 143 - Can a travel editor travel flight free - with Helen CoffeyThe Sustainable(ish) ClubhouseTalking Climate - The Sustainable(ish) accredited Carbon Literacy courseThe Sustainable(ish) Facebook group Let me know your thoughts on this one!And if you enjoyed this episode, please do leave a review and/or comment wherever you get your podcasts!  […]

Today's guest has been on my podcast guest bucket list literally since it began, so there may be a small element of 'fan-girling' in this episode..!Hermione Taylor is the Co-Founder and Director and DoNation - "a platform helping organisations to inspire their communities to create long lasting change."She has such a great 'founder's story', involving a bike ride to Morocco (as you do!), and this chat is packed with tips and ideas for how to engage others, whether that's as part of your workplace, or any other group/community you're involved with.And speaking of bike rides, Hermione also shares details of DoNation's Ride The Change COP 27 bike ride, riding from Swansea to London, over 4 days at the beginning of November. I've very nervously signed up, and would LOVE to see some friendly faces - here's the link if anyone fancies joining me..! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...DoNation- Website- Twitter- Facebook- InstagramRide The Change - COP27 cycle rideHow Bad are Bananas?Count Us In- [080] - Count us in - Climate action for a billion people (podcast episode)Talking Climate - The Sustainable(ish) accredited Carbon Literacy courseThe Sustainable(ish) Facebook group Let me know your thoughts on this one!And if you enjoyed this episode, please do leave a review and/or comment wherever you get your podcasts!  […]

The podcast is back after the summer break!And I'm kicking off with a solo episode from to celebrate and reflect on 10 years since we as a family embarked on a year buying nothing new.I didn't know it at the time, but that year, that slightly naive challenge, would change my life (cliche klaxon!).It changed not just how and where we shop, but also how I see my place in the world. I was left with the very certain knowledge that what we do, what I do, matters. That it makes a difference. Even if it's just to me and my life and my carbon footprint, or to our little family. But it makes a difference.And the ripples that that year have created, amongst friends and family, but in the big wide world too, are huge - and those are just the ones that I know about.I hope you enjoy my little trip down memory lane!Normal service will be resumed next week - I've got some brilliant guests and interviews lined up for you. In the meantime, do let me know your thoughts on this episode!I look so young.... LISTEN... CHECK OUT...The Big Green Bus Tour!- FREE 5 day challenge - kicking off 12th SeptTalking Climate - Carbon Literacy courseMy Make Do and Mend Year - the original blog posts!The Sustainable(ish) Facebook group Did you follow my original Make Do and Mend Year? Let me know in the comments! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and get inspired to make easy imperfect eco-changes! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

I hope you’re enjoying this little trip down memory lane while the podcast takes a break for the summer. This time we’re re-visiting my chat with the brilliant Lauren from Wear 'em Out pads. I did a little listener survey recently and this came out as one of the firm faves – I think largely because Lauren is so down to earth and real about her experiences and her own journey. This is so refreshing and reassuring for the majority of us who are also stumbling our way along, finding things out, trying things out, getting things wrong and trying again.Enjoy this one, whether it’s your first time or your listening again! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Wear 'em Out- Website- Facebook- InstagramA beginners guide to eco-friendly and plastic-free periods (blog post)[031] - Plastic free periods and wipes with Natracare (podcast)[035] - #bleedredthinkgreen - the world's first reusable tampon applicator with DAME (podcast)[040] Pants for your period with WUKA (podcast) A beginners guide to period pants (blog post)The original podcast episodeThe Sustainable(ish) Facebook group Did you listen to this one first time round, or is it fresh to your ears?What are your favourite episodes that you'd love to listen again to over the summer?Let me know in the comments! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

The podcast is having a bit of a break over the summer, so we’re re-running some of the fun and I’m picking some of my fave episodes from the last 140 odd. It’s been a tough job choosing, but also really lovely to browse through the back catalogue and remember all the wonderful people and organisations I’ve been lucky enough to get to chat to!Today’s ‘re-run the fun’ episode is Episode 50 – Everything Electric Cars with James and Kate. I’ve chosen this one because it possibly feels even more relevant now than it did a few years ago when it was first released.The speed of the rise in uptake of electrics cars has taken everyone by surprise and I’m sure I’m not alone in delighting in seeing so many of them out and about day to day. But lots of people still have lots of questions about them, and this episode with James and Kate, who have a brilliant EV You Tube channel which I’ve linked to in the show notes, should hopefully help answer lots of them.EVs aren’t a magic bullet for de-carbonising our transport systems – we need lots more and lots better public transport, and we need to help encourage active travel, but they are a big part of the jigsaw. Do let me know if you listened to this one the first time around, if this is all new to you, and if you’ve still got any questions about electric vehicles! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...James and Kate- On You Tube- On TwitterThe original podcast episodeThe Sustainable(ish) Facebook group Did you listen to this one first time round, or is it fresh to your ears?What are your favourite episodes that you'd love to listen again to over the summer?Let me know in the comments! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

The podcast is having a break over the summer, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to re-visit some of my favourite episodes from the archives.A few years ago there was an article on the BBC website about a school PTA who had set up a reusable party kit to rent out for kid's parties and to raise some funds for the school. The idea was super simple - provide an affordable reusable alternative to the disposable plates and cups that are the usual fare at kids (and grown ups!) parties up and down the country.Tillie Mabbut read the article and instead of thinking "That's a great idea, someone should really do that round here", she decided that she was that someone and set up Frome Eco Party Kit. In this episode I interviewed Tillie about what she was doing and why, and asked her to share her top tips for anyone wanting to do something similar local to them.And I never could have anticipated the chain of events that then followed leading to a whole Party Kit Network set up by the wonderful Isabel Murch, providing support, resources and promo for reusable party kits. Thanks to pioneers like Tillie, and the amazing work of Isabel and others, there are now over 500 party kits, in 9 different countries with nearly 400 in the UK alone. Isabel does a yearly audit to get an idea of the impact of the network and last year's audit revealed that the members of the Party Kit Network had helped to save 115,000 single use items from landfill!I hope that re-running this episode helps to bring the idea to yet more people, and maybe inspires a few more to either use or set up a reusable party kit!Tune in to listen to the original episode with Tillie, and check out all the links with loads of resources below.Pic from Frome Eco Party Kit LISTEN... CHECK OUT...The Party Kit Network- Website- Find a party kit near you- Set up a new party kit- On Facebook- On Instagram- On TwitterFrome Eco Party Kit- Website- Facebook- InstagramThe original podcast episodeThe Sustainable(ish) Facebook group Did you listen to this one first time round, or is it fresh to your ears?What are your favourite episodes that you'd love to listen again to over the summer?Let me know in the comments! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

The podcast is having a break over the summer, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to re-visit some of my favourite episodes from the archives.I thought this episode was a good one to listen again to over the summer, as in it I'm chatting to Martin Dorey, founder of the #2MinuteBeachClean and the #2MinuteFoundation. I figured lots of us might be visiting beaches over the holidays, and this is a great reminder to do little spot of beach cleaning while you're there. As Martin says, the aim should no longer be simply to leave no trace, but to actually leave a place a little bit better than when you arrived.And in fact, it doesn't even need to be a beach clean, a #2MinuteParkClean, #2MinuteStreetClean, or #2MinuteLitterPick all count!Pop a plastic bag and some hand sanitiser into your rucksack, changing bag, handbag, picnic bag, and you'll be ready to go, wherever you are!If you are visiting the coast, then keep your eyes peeled for #2MinuteBeachClean boards, designed to raise awareness, and encourage people to get litter picking - there are 100's around the country - check out the map!Martin is also the author of several brilliant books, including No More Plastic, No More Rubbish Excuses, Kids Fight Plastic, and Kids Fight Climate Change. LISTEN... CHECK OUT...The #2MinuteFoundation- Website- On Facebook- On Instagram- On TwitterMartin Dorey- Website- Twitter- Instagram- No More Plastic- No More Rubbish Excuses- Kids Fight Plastic- Kids Fight Climate ChangeThe original podcast episodeThe Sustainable(ish) Facebook group Did you listen to this one first time round, or is it fresh to your ears?What are your favourite episodes that you'd love to listen again to over the summer?Let me know in the comments! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

The podcast is having a break over the summer, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to re-visit some of my favourite episodes from the archives.This episode with Chris Hellawell from The Edinburgh Tool Library was one of the very first episodes published, but that's not the only reason I love it so much. What Chris and his team have achieved up in Edinburgh is just brilliant. Tool Libraries are a fabulous concept - they work like libraries, but for tools. But what Chris has created is so much more than simply a place to borrow tools (although their members saved over £875,000 from borrowing rather than buying tools in the projects first five years). It's a real community, with regular workshops and events, as well as their brilliant 'Tools for Life' programme, which provides expert advice, practical workshops, and employment support to young trainees who are currently facing barriers to employment, pairing mentors and trainees who then work together on projects that benefit local communities.Edinburgh Tool Library has also served as inspiration for people wanting to set up similar projects around the country, as well as advice based on their own journey and experiences - wouldn't it be amazing to have a Tool Library in every community? LISTEN... CHECK OUT...The Edinburgh Tool Library- Website- On Facebook- On Instagram- On TwitterThe original podcast episodeThe Sustainable(ish) Facebook group Did you listen to this one first time round, or is it fresh to your ears?What are your favourite episodes that you'd love to listen again to over the summer?Let me know in the comments! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

"The Great Big Green Week is the UK's biggest every celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. And everyone's invited."Sounds pretty good right?That's because it is!2021 saw the inaugural Great Big Green Week (GBGW), from The Climate Coalition, host over 5000 events up and down the country, from bat walks to school assemblies, football matches, clothes swaps, repair cafes and lots lots more.This year, it's back (24th Sept - 2nd October) and is going to be even bigger, with the aim of registering over 7500 events. And this is where we come in!Listen in to my chat with Mary Corfield, GBGW Project Manager, all about The Great Big Green Week - what it aims to achieve and why it's so important. And importantly, how WE can get involved.What could you do for this year's Great Big Green Week?What local groups and communities are you a part of that might be interested in running an event to showcase and celebrate some of the great things happening near you?There's a huge amount of resources and support for anyone thinking about hosting an event (it really isn't as daunting as it might sound, I promise!) on the Great Big Green Week website - do take a look. LISTEN... CHECK OUT...The Great Big Green Week- Website- Resources and support-  Twitter- Facebook- InstagramThe Sustainable(ish) FB group Could you run a GBGW event?What will it be?Let me know in the comments! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

DID YOU KNOW..?There are over 40 million cars parked on our roads and driveways in the UKOn average, vehicles in the UK sit idle 96% of the timeFor every 1 car shared, we can take 14 off the roadA 2% switch to car sharing could see CO₂ emissions drop by 620,000 tonnesWhich all sounds awesome, and even the big car manufacturers are gearing themselves up for a shift towards a more shared ownership for cars in the future.But it might feel like a pretty daunting thing to do right?If I rent my car out, how do I know someone isn't going to just run off with it? Or bring it back trashed and scratched? If I give up my car and look to rent a car as and when I need it, how can I make sure I get the right car at the right time? What if it's filthy and covered in dog hair with empty crisp packets in the footwell?In this episode of the podcast, I'm chatting to Andy Hibbert, who is the CEO and founder of Karshare, an app which "makes it easy to discover, book and unlock affordable vehicles from owners in your area." And I basically ask him all of the questions above, and more.I really enjoyed Andy's story of how he arrived at the idea, and it was staggering to hear about just how impactful car sharing is and could be, when it comes to reducing the UK's transport emissions. LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Karshare- Website-  Twitter- Facebook- InstagramThe Sustainable(ish) FB group Have you ever tried out car sharing?Are you tempted to give it a go?Let me know in the comments! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]